Where to go if you have 4 days in Shanghai? A tour of downtown Shanghai usually only takes two days, and you can also head to the nearby suburbs, the neighboring Suzhou, or even the Hangzhou area, then here are the best suggestions to help you make most of your 4-day vacation.
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Shanghai Attractions Map (click to enlarge)
If this is your first time in Shanghai and you just want to focus on exploring the Shanghai area while also having a unique exploration experience, then this in-depth 4-day Shanghai city itinerary will allow you to fully appreciate the charm of Shanghai.
Day 1: Arrival - Shanghai Maglev Train - Shanghai Circus World
If you arrive at Shanghai in Pudong International Airport, you definitely cannot miss the Shanghai Maglev Train, the first operational high-speed maglev train in the world with speed about 300km/h, and it only takes about 8 minutes to transfer from Pudong airport to the city center. If you want some unique experience at evening, you can go to Shanghai Circus World located in the northern part of Jing'an District to watch an entertaining acrobatic show, including breathtaking "balls of death" acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other wonderful performances.
Day 2: Oriental Pearl Tower/Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Museum East - Yu Garden - Nanjing Road - The Bund
First go to Shanghai Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) area, and choose one of the skyscrapers such as Oriental Pearl Tower - the most famous landmark in Shanghai / Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and second tallest one in the world with the total height of 632m to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of downtown Shanghai. Then visit Shanghai Museum East, also in Pudong area, which is dubbed "Textbooks of Chinese Art History" to appreciate remarkable ancient Chinese arts through rich collections of the bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphic works, etc. Continue transfer to Yu Garden in Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) area to get a glimpse at classical Chinese garden architecture and abundant traditional culture, as well as experience the lively atmosphere of Yuyuan Bazaar and taste some local snacks. Next head to Nanjing Road, which is the oldest shopping street in Shanghai that has been extended to the Bund. Then you can walk directly to The Bund to enjoy the dazzling night view along the Bund, the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui area.
Day 3: Shanghai Starbucks Roastery - Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center - Wukang Road - North Bund
Shanghai Starbucks Roastery, the largest Starbucks Roastery in Asia and the second-largest globally, has been a landmark destination for coffee lovers. It's a nice place to watch as premium coffee beans are roasted in real time and you can also indulge in freshly baked pastries and artisanal breads. Continue to nearby Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, the largest urban planning exhibition hall and a popular museum for Shanghai new-visitors, where you can witness how Shanghai became a cosmopolitan city from a shabby fishing village. Then spend some leisure time in Wukang Road, an old foreign community has been well-preserved with massive early 20th century western-style mansions, which is a hot city walk area with leafy trees side by. Next transfer to the North Bund area, where are fewer crowds compared to the Bund but same beautiful views. You can not only experience the unique maritime culture at North Bund Garden, a great place to enjoy the green spaces with scenic views of the city skyline and Huangpu River, but also enjoy the night time at Zhapulu Bridge, one of Shanghai’s most picturesque and historically significant bridges.
Day 4: Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center - Tianzifang - Leave
Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center, a small private museum with more than 400 interesting exhibits are displayed, including original Dazibao (Big Character Poster) and woodcuts, arm bands, pretty Shanghai Lady Posters from early 20th century to the 1970s China, where you can catch a special glimpse of the 20th century history of China. Then move on to Tianzifang, which is a block of old lanes of cultural and artistic features, where you can enjoy the daily life of the Shanghainese and modern flavor of local snacks, lovely bars, souvenir shops, etc.
Highlights of this Itinerary
Shanghai Maglev Train
Shanghai Tower
North Bund
Propaganda Poster Art Center
☛ 4 Days Shanghai City In-depth Discovery
If you are traveling with family and also want to visit attractions located in the suburbs like Disneyland and water towns while exploring Shanghai, then this 4-day itinerary covering both the city and the suburbs will bring your family unforgettable moments.
Day 1: Arrive - Acrobatic Show/Huangpu River Cruise
After you arrive in Shanghai, you can take a short rest and then head to Shanghai Circus World located in the northern part of Jing'an District to watch the entertaining acrobatic show, including breathtaking "balls of death" acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other wonderful performances. Or you can go directly to downtown Shanghai and take a 50-minute Huangpu River Cruise to free your foot on a relaxed cruise journey. The night view is more impressive and recommended than that during the daytime, and it is a relaxing way to have a panoramic view of Shanghai with the west-meets-east, tradition-hits-modernity feature.
Day 2: Oriental Pearl Tower/Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Museum East - Yu Garden - Nanjing Road - The Bund
First go to Shanghai Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) area, and choose one of the skyscrapers such as Oriental Pearl Tower - the most famous landmark in Shanghai / Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and second tallest one in the world with the total height of 632m to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of downtown Shanghai. Then visit Shanghai Museum East, also in Pudong area, which is dubbed "Textbooks of Chinese Art History" to appreciate remarkable ancient Chinese arts through rich collections of the bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphic works, etc. Continue transfer to Yu Garden in Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) area to get a glimpse at classical Chinese garden architecture and abundant traditional culture, as well as experience the lively atmosphere of Yuyuan Bazaar and taste some local snacks. Next head to Nanjing Road, which is the oldest shopping street in Shanghai that has been extended to the Bund. Then you can walk directly to The Bund to enjoy the dazzling night view along the Bund, the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui area.
Day 3: Shanghai Disney Resort
Shanghai Disney Resort in east suburb, is the biggest Disneyland in Asia. Constructed in traditional Disney style with Chinese elements, Shanghai Disney Resort offers massive recreation facilities, live shows and interesting experience for kids and visitors of all ages. It currently consists of 7 themed lands - Adventure Isle, Disney & Pixar Toy Story Land, Fantasyland, Gardens of Imagination, Tomorrowland, Treasure Cove and City of Zootopia. The two themed hotels and a Disneytown offer a shopping, dining and entertainment, etc. Enjoy high flexibility to arrange your Disneyland day tour by yourself, and make the best use of time and money to realize your Disneyland dream tour, play a series of Disney themed activities, interact with Disney roles and create a wonderful adventure with your family and friends.
Day 4: Zhujiajiao Water Town - Leave
Considering factors such as time, distance, and the value, we recommend that you choose Zhujiajiao in Qingpu District, 48 kilometers (about 1.5 hours by car) from Shanghai downtown for a half-day visiting. Reputed as "Venice of Shanghai", Zhujiajiao Water Town is the closest and largest water town in Shanghai. Since most of water towns are located in the suburbs far from the city downtown with inconvenient transportation, we strongly recommend you choose our Shanghai tour packages including water towns with English-speaking guide and private driver or customize the itinerary that includes the water towns according to your needs.
Highlights of this Itinerary
Huangpu River Cruise
Yu Garden
Shanghai Disney Resort
Zhujiajiao Water Town
☛ 4 Days Shanghai Magic Tour with Disneyland Park (Family Friendly)
Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Travel Map (click to enlarge)
Want to visit both Shanghai and Suzhou in a 4-day trip? Thanks to the convenient high-speed rail network, you can reach Suzhou from Shanghai in just half an hour and enjoy 1.5 days exploration in Suzhou.
Day 1: Arrival - Shanghai Circus World
After you arrive in Shanghai, you can take a short rest and then head to Shanghai Circus World located in the northern part of Jing'an District to watch the entertaining acrobatic show, including breathtaking "balls of death" acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other wonderful performances.
Day 2: Oriental Pearl Tower/Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Museum East - Tianzifang - The Bund - Huangpu River Cruise
First go to Shanghai Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) area, and choose one of the skyscrapers such as Oriental Pearl Tower - the most famous landmark in Shanghai / Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and second tallest one in the world with the total height of 632m to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of downtown Shanghai. Continue visit Shanghai Museum East, also in Pudong area, which is dubbed "Textbooks of Chinese Art History" to appreciate remarkable ancient Chinese arts through rich collections of the bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphic works, etc. Then transfer to Shanghai old town to visit Tianzifang, which is a block of old lanes of cultural and artistic features, where you can enjoy the daily life of the Shanghainese and modern flavor of local snacks, lovely bars, souvenir shops, etc. When night falls, you should come to The Bund, where you can not only enjoy the charm of the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, but also marvel at the most prosperous night view of Shanghai in the Lujiazui area. If you want to fully appreciate the magic of Shanghai, you cannot miss the Huangpu River Cruise and the night cruise is the most recommended, because you can see the skyscrapers and historical sites all lighted up by colorful lights.
Day 3: Suzhou Silk Museum - Humble Administrator's Garden - Tongli/Zhouzhuang Water Town
Departing from Shanghai today, take the morning high-speed train to Suzhou, which only takes about half an hour to arrive. First go straight to Suzhou Silk Museum, which is the first museum that specializes in silk in China and well demonstrates the thousand years’ Chinese silk history, displays silk relics, fragments, garments and tapestry, etc. Continue come to the most classic Chinese garden - Humble Administrator's Garden, which listed as World Heritage Site in 1997 by UNESCO. It is a representation of Jiangnan classical garden with a combination of buildings, ponds, bridges, paths and trees arranged in a specific manner, and is now the largest classical garden in Suzhou. Then transfer to one of the famous water town in Suzhou, Tongli or Zhouzhuang, which respectively about 30 kilometers (50 minutes by car) and 40 kilometers (70 minutes by car) away from the city center of Suzhou. Since most of water towns are located in the suburbs far from the city downtown with inconvenient transportation, we strongly recommend you choose our Suzhou tour packages including water towns with English-speaking guide and private driver or customize the itinerary that includes the water towns according to your needs.
Day 4: Tongli/Zhouzhuang Water Town - Leave
Today you can fully enjoy a half-day tour in Tongli or Zhouzhuang Water Town. Tongli is one of the top six ancient towns in Jiangnan area (south of Yangtze River), which is world reputed as the "Oriental Venice" with its more than 1000-year-old history, authentic features of old buildings, rich old rivers, simple folk culture of locals. Zhouzhuang is not only the "No. 1 Water Town in China" but also one of the top ten tourist attractions in China favored by European people. Here you can feel its long history of about 1000 years and admire the authentic features of water town in regions south of the Yangtze River in China. When you finish your water town tour in Suzhou, you can transfer directly to Shanghai, which respectively about 90 kilometers (2 hours by car) and 70 kilometers (1.5 hours by car) away from the city center of Shanghai.
Highlights of this Itinerary
Shanghai Circus World
Humble Administrator's Garden
Tongli Water Town
Zhouzhuang Water Town
☛ 4 Days Fantastic Shanghai & Zhouzhuang Water Town Contrast Tour
☛ 4 Days Shanghai In-depth Tour with Sidetrip to Suzhou
Want to visit both Shanghai and Hangzhou in a 4-day trip? Thanks to the convenient high-speed rail network, you can reach Hangzhou from Shanghai in just an hour and enjoy 1.5 days exploration in Hangzhou.
Day 1: Arrive - Acrobatic Show/Huangpu River Cruise
After you arrive in Shanghai, you can take a short rest and then head to Shanghai Circus World located in the northern part of Jing'an District to watch the entertaining acrobatic show, including breathtaking "balls of death" acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other wonderful performances. Or you can go directly to downtown Shanghai and take a 50-minute Huangpu River Cruise to free your foot on a relaxed cruise journey. The night view is more impressive and recommended than that during the daytime, and it is a relaxing way to have a panoramic view of Shanghai with the west-meets-east, tradition-hits-modernity feature.
Day 2: Oriental Pearl Tower/Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Museum East - Yu Garden - Nanjing Road - The Bund
First go to Shanghai Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) area, and choose one of the skyscrapers such as Oriental Pearl Tower - the most famous landmark in Shanghai / Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and second tallest one in the world with the total height of 632m to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of downtown Shanghai. Then visit Shanghai Museum East, also in Pudong area, which is dubbed "Textbooks of Chinese Art History" to appreciate remarkable ancient Chinese arts through rich collections of the bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphic works, etc. Continue transfer to Yu Garden in Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) area to get a glimpse at classical Chinese garden architecture and abundant traditional culture, as well as experience the lively atmosphere of Yuyuan Bazaar and taste some local snacks. Next head to Nanjing Road, which is the oldest shopping street in Shanghai that has been extended to the Bund. Then you can walk directly to The Bund to enjoy the dazzling night view along the Bund, the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui area.
Day 3: China National Tea Museum - Lingyin Temple - West Lake - Wuzhen Water Town
Departing from Shanghai today, take the morning high-speed train to Hangzhou, which only takes about an hour to arrive. First go straight to China National Tea Museum to learn systematically about Chinese tea culture including the history, procession, customs and classification of tea, and admire diverse kinds of tea wares, machines, displays, etc. Next come to Lingyin Temple, which is the oldest and one of the most popular Buddhist temples in Hangzhou with nearly 1,700 year's history. Continue to the adjacent West Lake, which is the iconic site of Hangzhou and listed as a World Heritage Site in 2011 by UNESCO. Then transfer to the famous water town in Hangzhou - Wuzhen, which about 80 kilometers (1.5 hours by car) away from the city center of Hangzhou. Since most of water towns are located in the suburbs far from the city downtown with inconvenient transportation, we strongly recommend you choose our Hangzhou tour packages including water towns with English-speaking guide and private driver or customize the itinerary that includes the water towns according to your needs.
Day 4: Wuzhen Water Town - Leave
Today you can fully enjoy a half-day tour in Wuzhen Water Town. As a classic water town of Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River) style, Wuzhen is reputed as "the Venice of the East" with peaceful environment and ancient architectures. Here you can find old buildings situated along the winding river, and various workshops, stores and museums are the highlights of the romantic and tranquil little town, which all make Wuzhen a very poetic and romantic place in China. When you finish your water town tour in Wuzhen, you can transfer directly to Shanghai, which about 130 kilometers (2.5 hours by car) away from the city center of Shanghai.
Highlights of this Itinerary
Shanghai Museum East
Lingyin Temple
West Lake
Wuzhen Water Town
☛ 4 Days Enchanting Shanghai & Wuzhen Water Town Tour
☛ 5 Days Essence of Shanghai Hangzhou Tour with Wuzhen Water Town
Shanghai applies to the 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption. Visitor from 50+ foreign countries who hold valid travel document & connecting flights to a third country/region can stay in Shanghai and other permitted regions of China up to 240 hours without a Chinese Visa. If you have a short layover less than 24 hours, you also don’t have to apply for a visa to visit Shanghai.
Being a modern city with less natural sights, Shanghai can be visited all year round. Summer (June to August) is hot and rainy with roughly 60% of the annual total amount. The hottest period of Shanghai happens in July or August, when the daytime temperature rises above 30℃. Shanghai during winter (December to February) is cold, humid. It seldom snows, if has, often occurs in the coldest January and February. Hence, the ideal times to visit Shanghai are warm spring (March to May) and cool autumn (September to November) with the most comfortable temperature, more sunny days and colorful natural scenery.
There are two airports in Shanghai - Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) with international flights covering over 130 international cities (regions) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) mainly with domestic flights between Shanghai and Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin and other major destinations in China. Shanghai has a well-developed high speed train network in China and well-linked with Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong (Jinan, Qufu, Mount Tai...), Jiangsu (Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi...) through China’s busiest high speed railway - Beijing Shanghai High Speed Railway. You can also get to Shanghai by international cruise from Japan, South Korea or by Yangtze River Cruise from Chongqing and other cities in the upper reaches.
Accommodation choice in Shanghai is plentiful, so you can easily find hotels top luxury brands, modish boutique hotels to budget types. Hotels in the downtown Shanghai close to the Bund and People’s Square is the best accommodation area for most travelers. Because they have perfect location to the Bund, Nanjing Road and offer quick access to lots of excellent restaurants and shopping.
A classic Shanghai city tour usually takes about 2 days. If you have 1 to 2 days more, you can either extend your trip from Shanghai to Suzhou, feel the elegant classical gardens, immerse in the serene ancient water townships and catch a glimpse of the fabulous Chines silk culture; or use 2 days to visit Hangzhou, view the West Lake, old-line Lingyin Temple and learn more about the famous Longjing Tea. It’s quite popular to extend a Hangzhou tour to one of the nearby water towns, like Wuzhen, Xitang for 1 extra day. Taking 5 ~ 6 days is enough to cover the essence of Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou. Nature loves are highly suggested a Huangshan Mountain tour if you fitness and time allows. It needs 3 to 4 more days for a typical hiking trip with nearby World Heritages (Hongcun, Xidi Ancient Villages...).
To help you enjoy a worry-free trip to Shanghai, we suggest you travel with us, and our local guide and driver will escort you from your hotel to the scenic area and our guide will take you to the best sightseeing deck and give interesting introduction of the sites and stories to enrich your experience. All you need is to focus on the highlights. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us directly!
No matter how many days you plan to stay in Shanghai, China Discovery always has a suitable tour for you. We are also specialized in high-quality private tours as well as tailor-made tour packages that fit you best according to your own interests, requirement, traveling time, etc. Below are the Most Popular Shanghai Tour Packages 2026/2027. If you have no idea where to start, please don't hesitate to contact our travel experts for help.
Spend 3 days discovering Shanghai's diverse blend of modernity and traditional culture by visiting its top landmarks, starting with a convenient pick-up day.
Explore the 3 most popular destinations of the Yangtze Delta - Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou by the fast bullet trains. Every day is connected well, without any waste of time and money.
In this 2-day classic Shanghai tour, you will discover top iconic landmarks of Shanghai like the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center to appreciate the real charm of Shanghai. Everything is perfectly arranged!
Looking for a unique Shanghai tour which is different from the regular itineraries? Here it is - A harmony between soft and hard landscapes results in one of a kind holiday in Shanghai.
A short but essential trip to Shanghai and Beijing, the two main parts of China will show you a seamless blend of ancient imperial wonders and a modern metropolis. Furthermore, it will be a lifetime memory to take a bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing in just 5 hours.
Traveling Shanghai with Huangshan, the Yellow Mountain takes you traverse from modern to ancient, from fashion to tradition, from city’s hustle and bustle to tranquility and quietness in this area.
Make your Disney dream tour come true with fancy experiences. View modern skyline and ancient sites to deeply understand magic of Shanghai!
Take 4 days to discover the urban vitality of Shanghai and time-treasured classic heritages of Suzhou, feel distinct charm of the ancient and modern.
Begin crafting your personalized China journey by consulting with our travel specialists. Upon receiving your inquiry, we guarantee a response within 24 hours.
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